‘We are an asset to Jamaica and will continue to be so’, says Jamaica Zoo following licence suspension by NEPA
Juanique Tennant / Our Today
Hours after the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) declared intention to suspend the environmental permit of Jamaica Zoo Attractions Limited, the operators of the zoo have stood firm, declaring it “an asset to Jamaica” and that it would continue to remain so.
In a release this afternoon (June 1), the operators of the zoo noted that they were aware of the issuance and publication of NEPA’s Notice of Intention to Suspend their current licence to operate.
Not to be deterred by this, however, the zoo informed that it “is intent upon making any and all modifications as advised by the authorities”, noting that the attraction is an important asset to Jamaica.
“The Jamaica Zoo is an important asset to Western Jamaica and the country on a whole, and it is our intention that this will continue to be the case for many years to come,” read the statement.
It added: “We again reiterate that the safety of our patrons and team members is always paramount as is the care for the animals held within the facility.”
The Jamaica Zoo made local headlines last month after a viral video surfaced showcasing one of the zoo’s contracted animal attendants taunting a lion that later degloved his ring finger.
The contractor, who was later identified as Ricardo Jones, was attacked by the Jamaica Zoo lion ‘Santa Cruz’ on Friday (May 20).
According to NEPA, in a statement earlier today, the zoo is ordered closed to the public effective June 1 2022 until the company complies with the conditions cited in the notice.
The specific nature of the zoo’s breaches relates to failure to, among other things:
- Ensure that members of staff handling animals are properly trained;
- Account for species held and/or filing related reports or notifications;
- Submit an animal nutrition and welfare programme;
- Engage competent technical skill sets to assist with operations.
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